Bolts ( Screws ) and Nuts

nut – component, usually made of metal, with a threaded hole that mates with a bolt. The outer shape of a nut is often
six-sided.

bolt – is an externally threaded fastener which is prevented from being turned during assembly and which can be
tightened or released only by torquing a nut. Example: round head bolts, track bolts, plow bolts.

screw – is an externally threaded fastener capable of being inserted into holes in assembled parts, of mating with a
preformed internal thread or forming its own thread, and of being tightened or released by torquing the head.
Example: wood screws, tapping screws.

Illustration:

1/2-13UNC-2A-RH

External thread Internal thread

Major diameter – it is the largest diameter of an external or internal screw thread. The screw is specified by this
diameter. It is also known as outside or nominal diameter.

Minor diameter – it is the smallest diameter of an external or internal screw thread. It is also known as core or root
diameter.

Pitch or Mean diameter – it is the diameter of an imaginary cylinder, on a cylindrical screw thread, the surface of
which would pass through the thread at such points as to make equal the width of the
thread and the width of the spaces between the threads. It is also called an effective
diameter. In a nut and bolt assembly, it is the diameter at which the ridges on the bolt are in
complete touch with the ridges of the corresponding nut.

Pitch – it is the distance from a point on one thread to the corresponding point on the next. This is measured in an
axial direction between corresponding points in the same axial plane.

Slope – it is half the pitch of the thread.

Lead – it is the distance between two corresponding points on the same helix. It may also be defined as the distance
which a screw thread advances axially in one rotation of the nut. Lead is equal to the pitch in case of single
start threads, it is twice the pitch in double start, thrice the pitch in triple start and so on.

Angle of thread – it is the angle included by the flanks of the thread.

thread crest – is the top surface joining the two sides of the thread of a screw or the top part of the thread. For
external threads, the crest is the region of the thread which is on its outer surface, for internal threads
it is the region which forms the inner diameter.

[1]
thread root – is the bottom surface of the thread ( on external threads the roots are usually rounded so that fatigue
performance is improved ) joining the two sides of the thread of a screw.

grip length – total distance between the underside of the nut to the bearing face of the bolt head; includes washer,
gasket thickness and etc.

shank – that portion of a bolt between the head and the threaded portion.

thread runout – the portion at the end of a threaded shank which is not cut or rolled to full depth, but which
provides a transition between full depth threads and the fastener shank or head.

thread flank – join the thread roots to the crest.

thread height or depthness – is the distance between the minor and major diameters of the thread measured radially
or the distance between the crest and the root of the thread of a screw.

thread length – is the portion of the fastener with threads.

depth of thread engagement – is the radial distance, crest to crest, by which the thread forms overlap between two
assembled mating threads or the percentage of the thread height that is in the material
being fastened.

Common Types of Screw Fastenings

1. Through bolt ( or simply a bolt ) – it is a cylindrical bar with threads for the nut at one end and head at the other
end as shown in Fig. (a). The cylindrical part of the bolt is known as shank. It is
passed through drilled holes in the two parts to be fastened together and
clamped them securely to each other as the nut is screwed on to the threaded
end. The through bolts may or may not have a machined finish and are made
with either hexagonal or square heads. The through bolts according to their
usage may be known as machine bolts, carriage bolts, automobile bolts, eye
bolts etc.

2. Tap bolt – tap bolt or screw differs from a bolt. It is screwed into a tapped hole of one of the parts to be
fastened without the nut, as shown in Fig. (b).

3. Stud – is a round bar threaded at both ends. One end of the stud is screwed into a tapped hole of the parts to
be fastened, while the other end receives a nut on it, as shown in Fig. (c). Studs are chiefly used instead
of tap bolts for securing various kinds of covers e.g. covers of engine and pump cylinders, valves,
chests etc. This is due to the fact that when tap bolts are unscrewed or replaced, they have a tendency
to break the threads in the hole. This disadvantage is overcome by the use of studs.

Illustration:

4. Machine screw – these are similar to cap screw with the head slotted for a screw driver. This is generally used
with a nut.

5. Cap screw – is similar to tap bolt except that it is of small size and having a variety of shapes of heads are
available as shown in the figures below.

[2]
 Types of cap screws

6. Set screw – is used to prevent relative motion between the two parts. A set screw is screwed through a threaded
hole in one part so that its point ( i.e. end of the screw ) presses against the other part. This resists the
relative motion between the two parts by means of friction between the point of the screw and one of
the parts. They may be used instead of key to prevent relative motion between a hub and a shaft in
light power transmission members. They may also be used in connection with a key, where they
prevent relative axial motion of the shaft, key and hub assembly.

Types of set screws

Cylinder cover with bolts Cylinder cover with studs

Eyebolt

[3]
 Unified National Thread Specifications

1/2-13UNC-2A-RH

where:
• major diameter in inch
• threads per inch
• thread form and series
• fit class

Metric Thread Specifications

M 10 x 1.5 – 4h6h – RH

• Metric thread series

• major diameter in mm
• mm per thread
• tolerance class

Thread Form and Series

• Unified National Coarse ( UNC ) – is a thread form with a 600 flank angle rounded roots and flat crests. For
a given diameter it has a larger thread pitch than an equivalent diameter UNF
thread. It is used for common assembly work. It is relatively easy to assemble
and disassemble. For general use.

• Unified National Fine ( UNF ) – is a thread form with a 600 flank angle rounded roots and flat crests. For a
given diameter it has a smaller thread pitch than an equivalent diameter UNC
thread. Used where vibration problems are frequently encountered or when high
degree of tightness is required, such as automotive applications.

• Unified National Extra Fine ( UNEF ) – is a thread form with a very fine ( small ) pitch that are typically used on
instruments and parts requiring a fine adjustment. It is often used in
aircraft-instrument applications.

Class of Fit – is a measure of the degree of fit between mating internal and external threads.

Three main Classes of Fit available in the Unified screw threads

• Class 1 = with widest tolerances ( threads designed with the loosest fits and used for fast or easy assembly )
• Class 2 = with tolerances suitable for normal production ( threads that are widely used )
• Class 3 = for high accuracy or precision work only ( threads have the tightest fits )

Note:
The Class of Fit is followed by an A for external ( screw ) threads and a B for internal ( nut ) threads. Most
are Class 2, 3 is for precision assembly, and Class 4 is used for things like lathe lead screws and measuring
instruments.

Right Handed ( RH ) thread – when bolted or screwed in by rotating clockwise. Threads are assumed RH unless
specified otherwise.

Left Handed ( LH ) thread – when bolted or screwed in by rotating counterclockwise.

[4]
Tolerance Class

Tolerance Grade: This is indicated by a number ( smaller numbers indicate a tighter fit ).

The system provides for a series of tolerance grades for each of the four screw thread parameters:

Pitch diameter of internal threads 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Pitch diameter of external threads 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Minor diameter of internal threads 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Major diameter of external threads 4, 6, 8

Tolerance Position: This is indicated by a letter ( specifies the amount of allowance ).

Upper case ( Capital ) letters = internal threads

Lower case letters = external threads

The system provides a series of Tolerance Positions for internal and external threads. These Tolerance Positions are
as follows:
Internal threads G, H
External threads g, h

The complete designation of a screw thread gives the thread symbol, the nominal size and the thread Tolerance Class.

The Tolerance Class designation gives the class designation for the pitch diameter tolerance followed by a class
designation for the crest diameter ( major diameter for external thread and minor diameter for internal thread )
tolerances. The Class designation consists of a number indicating the Tolerance Grade followed by a letter indicating
the Tolerance Position.

Examples:

External thread: 4g6g

where:
4g 6g represents the Tolerance Class
4g represents the thread Tolerance Class designation for pitch diameter
6g represents the thread Tolerance Class designation for major diameter

Internal thread: 6H

where:
6H represents the thread Class designation for pitch and minor diameter with
identical Tolerance Class designations.

Designation of Standard Screw Threads

Metric screw threads are identified by letter ( M ) for the thread form profile, followed by the nominal diameter size
and the pitch expressed in millimeters, separated by the sign ( x ) and followed by the tolerance class separated by a
dash ( – ) from the pitch. Unless otherwise specified in the designation, the screw thread helix is right hand.

Examples:

External Thread M Profile, Right Hand: M 6 x 1 – 4g6g

where:
M represents the Metric Thread Symbol, ISO 68 Metric Thread Form
6 represents the Nominal Size
1 represents the Pitch
4g6g represents the Tolerance Class

[5]
 but:
4g represents the pitch diameter Tolerance symbol ( with 4 representing the Tolerance
Grade and g representing the Tolerance Position )

6g represents the major diameter Tolerance symbol ( with 6 representing the Tolerance
Grade and g representing the Tolerance Position )

Internal Thread M Profile, Right Hand: M 6 x 1 – 5H6H

where:
M represents the Metric Thread Symbol, ISO 68 Metric Thread Form
6 represents the Nominal Size
1 represents the Pitch
5H6H represents the Tolerance Class

but:
5H represents the pitch diameter Tolerance symbol ( with 5 representing the Tolerance
Grade and H representing the Tolerance Position)

6H represents the minor diameter Tolerance symbol ( with 6 representing the Tolerance
Grade and H representing the Tolerance Position )

Designation of Left Hand Thread

When left hand thread is specified, the tolerance class designation is followed by a space and LH.

Example: M 6 x 1 – 5H6H – LH

Designation for Equal Tolerance Classes

If the two tolerance class designations for a thread are identical, it is not necessary to repeat the symbols.

Example: M 6 x 1 – 6H

Designations Using All Uppercase Letters

When computer and teletype thread designations use all uppercase letters, the external or internal thread may need
further identification. Thus the Tolerance class identification is followed by the abbreviations EXT or INT in capital
letters.

Examples:

M 6 x 1 – 4G6G EXT

M 6 x 1 – 6H INT

Designation for Thread Fit

A fit between mating threads is indicated by the internal thread Tolerance class followed by the external thread
Tolerance class separated by a slash.

Examples:

M 6 x 1 – 6H/6g

M 6 x 1 – 6H/4g6g

[6]
 Basic Formulas

Illustration:

where:
Fe = safe external ( tensile ) load of the bolt
D = major or nominal diameter of the bolt
Sd = Design ( Tensile ) stress of bolt
Sy = Yield strength of bolt material
As = stress area of bolt
F.S. = factor of safety

Design ( Tensile ) stress

Fe
Sd =
As

where:
Sd = Sy/F.S.
Fe = safe external ( tensile ) load
As = ( π/4 ) D2

If the Sy = yield strength and D = nominal size of bolt ( major diameter ) are given. Let the bolt is well-tightened
before the safe external ( tensile ) load Fe is applied and this formula applies to D < 3/4".

Sd = ( Sy/6 ) ( As ) 1/2 ( from Design of Machine Elements by Faires )

Fe = ( Sy/6 ) ( As ) 3/2 ( from Design of Machine Elements by Faires )

where:
Fe = safe external ( tensile ) load, lb
Sy = yield strength of the bolt material, psi
As = stress area, in2

If the bolt material and D = nominal size of bolt ( major diameter ) are given. Let the bolt is well-tightened before
the safe external ( tensile ) load Fe is applied and this formula applies to D ≥ 3/4".

Sd = C As 0.418 ( from Design of Machine Members by Vallance and Doughtie )

Fe = C As 1.418 ( from Design of Machine Members by Vallance and Doughtie )

where:
Fe = safe external ( tensile ) load, lb
As = stress area, in2
C = bolt material constant ( use: 5,000 psi for carbon steel bolts; up to 15,000 for alloy
steel bolts; 1,000 psi for bronze bolts )
Note:
For bolts D ≥ 2" ( use: Sd = 7,000 to 8,000 psi for carbon steels and up to 20,000 psi for
alloy steels.

[7]
• Initial Tightening Torque

T = C D Fi

where:
T = tightening torque required, in - lbf
Fi = initial tension induced by the tightening operation, lbf
D = major or nominal diameter of the bolt, inches
C = torque coefficient ( use: 0.20 for " as received " bolts and 0.15 for lubricated bolts )

From Machinery Handbook - any Edition

• Working Strength of the bolt

W = St ( 0.55 D2 – 0.25 D )

where:
W = Working strength, lbf
St = Allowable ( or Design ) working stress, psi
D = major or nominal diameter of the bolt, inches

• Diameter of Set Screw

1/2.3
50 ( P )
d=
DS n

where:
d = set screw diameter required, inches
P = horsepower transmitted by the shaft, hp
DS = shaft diameter, inches
n = rotative speed, rpm

• Transmitted Power

4
DS
P= n
4.6

where:
P = horsepower transmitted by the shaft, hp
DS = shaft diameter, inches
n = rotative speed, rpm

• Shaft Diameter

1.5
L
DS =
8.95

where:
DS = shaft diameter, inches
L = length, ft

• Depth of Tap

for cast iron and other brittle materials: H = 1.5 d

for steel and other ductile materials: H = d

[8]
 BOLTS (SCREWS) & NUTS

1. A cylinder head of a steam engine is held on by 14 bolts. The effective diameter of the cylinder is 35
cm and the steam pressure is 8.5 kg/cm 2. Assuming that the bolts are not initially stressed, find the
size of bolts if the tensile stress is not to exceed 200 kg/cm 2.
a. 19.50 mm b. 19.15 mm c. 19. 65 mm d. 19.30 mm

2. A steam engine cylinder has an effective diameter of 35 cm and the maximum steam pressure acting
on the cover is 12.5 kg/cm 2. Calculate the number of 2 cm diameter bolts required to fix the cylinder.
Assume the permissible stress in the bolts to be 330 kg/cm 2.
a. 12 bolts b. 10 bolts c. 13 bolts d. 9 bolts

3. Calculate the stress area (in mm2) of each of eighteen bolts used to fasten the hemispherical joints of
a 480 mm pressure vessel; with an internal pressure of 10 MPa and a bolt tensile strength of 150
MPa.
a. 775 b. 667.5 c. 750 d. 670.25

4. A 12 cm x 16 cm air compressor is operated with a maximum pressure of 10 kg/cm 2. There are 5

bolts with yield strength of 64 ksi holding the cylinder head to the compressor. Determine the tensile
stress of the bolt.
a. 26.59 MPa b. 29.69 MPa c. 28.54 MPa d. 32.56 MPa

5. The manhole cover of an ammonia storage tank is to be held by 25 stud bolts. If the pressure inside
the storage tank will remain constant at 12.5 kg/cm 2 and the manhole diameter is 508 mm, what
should be the stress area of the carbon steel bolt?
a. 0.606 in2 b. 0.566 in2 c. 0.452 in2 d. 0.645 in2

6. What is the working strength of a 1-inch bolt which is screwed up tightly in a packed joint when the
allowable working stress is 10,000 psi?
a. 3,000 lb b. 4,000 lb c. 5,000 lb d. 6,000 lb

7. What is the working strength of a 2’’ bolt which is screwed up tightly in a packed joint when the
allowable working stress is 12,000 psi?
a. 20.4 kips b. 22.4 kips c. 23.4 kips d. 18 kips

8. Compute the working strength of a 1’’ bolt which is screwed up tightly in a packed joint when the
allowable working stress is 13,000 psi.
a. 3,900 lb b. 3,700 lb c. 3,800 lb d. 3,600 lb

9. Compute the working strength of a bolt having a 1 1/2’’ diameter under a tensile stress of 8,000 psi.
a. 3,060 lb b. 4,560 lb c. 6,900 lb d. 7,500 lb

10. Determine the working strength of a 1.25’’ bolt screwed up tightly with a tensile stress of 8,000 psi.
a. 4,375 lb b. 3,475 lb c. 4,175 lb d. 7,543 lb

11. Determine the stress area in in2 of a 1-8UNC bolt.

a. 0.563 in2 b. 0.606 in2 c. 0.334 in2 d. 0.785 in2

12. For a bolted connection, specification suggests that a high-grade material of 13 mm bolt be tightened
to an initial tension of 55,000 N. What is the appropriate tightening torque?
a. 41 N-m b. 139 N-m c. 145 N-m d. 143 N-m
 POWER SCREW

Lead screw, also known as a power screw or translation screw, is a screw designed to translate turning motion into linear
motion. Common applications are machine slides ( such as in machine tools ), vises, presses, and jacks. Lead screws are
manufactured in the same way as other thread forms. Power screws are classified by the geometry of their thread.
V-threads are less suitable for lead screws than others such as Acme because they have more friction between the
threads. Their threads are designed to induce this friction to keep the fastener from loosening. Lead screws, on the other
hand, are designed to minimize friction. Therefore, in most commercial and industrial use, V-threads are avoided for
lead screw use. Nevertheless, V-threads are sometimes successfully used as lead screws, for example on micro lathes and
micro mills.
Types of threads ( Power Screws )

1. Square threads are named after their square geometry. They are the most efficient power screw, but also the
most difficult to machine, thus the most expensive.
2. Acme threads have a 290 thread angle, which is easier to machine than square threads. They are not as efficient
as square threads, due to the increased friction induced by the thread angle. The trapezoidal metric thread form is
similar to the Acme thread form, except the thread angle is 300.
3. Buttress threads are of a triangular shape. It combines the advantages of the square and Acme thread forms
with only one difference: it only works in one direction.

Illustration:

A jackscrew is a type of jack which is operated by turning a lead screw. In the form of a screw jack it is commonly used
to lift heavy weights such as the foundations of houses or large vehicles.

Illustration:

Jack Screw ( Screw Jack )

[1]
Description

A screw jack consists of a strong screw shaft which extends vertically from a heavy supporting base, and is turned with
a bar or lever. On the upper end of the screw is a bearing surface which supports the load. When the screw it rotated it
extends, lifting the load. An alternate form of jackscrew is a threaded shaft with a collar or nut on it. When the screw
shaft is rotated, the nut moves along the shaft. This type is used in devices such as scissors jacks and heavy duty
actuators and positioning systems. A jackscrew amplifies force; a small rotational force ( torque ) on the screw shaft can
exert a large linear force on a load. The smaller the pitch of the screw threads, the larger the mechanical advantage, the
ratio of output to input force.

Advantages

An advantage of jackscrews over some other types of jack is that they are self-locking, which means when the rotational
force on the screw is removed, it will remain motionless where it was left and will not rotate backwards, regardless of
how much load it is supporting. This makes them inherently safer than hydraulic jacks, for example, which will move
backwards under load if the force on the hydraulic actuator is accidentally released.

Mechanical Advantage

The mechanical advantage of a screw jack is the ratio of the force the jack exerts on the load to the input force on the
lever, ignoring friction.

Efficiency of screw jack in raising a load

M.A. FR
eOR = x 100 % = x 100 %
VR 2 π r ( n/60 )

L ( n/60 )

where:
M.A. – Mechanical Advantage
VR – Velocity Ratio
VR = peripheral velocity of the jack handle / linear velocity of the screw
W – load to be lifted by the jack
FR – rotational force exerted on the handle of the jack
r – length of the jack handle, from the screw axis to where the force is applied
L – the lead of the screw

However, most screw jacks have large amounts of friction which increase the input force necessary, so the actual
mechanical advantage is often only 30 % to 50 % of this figure.

Applications

A jackscrew's threads must support heavy loads. In the most heavy-duty applications, such as screw jacks, a square
thread or buttress thread is used, because it has the lowest friction. In other application such as actuators, an Acme
thread is used, although it has higher friction.

The large area of sliding contact between the screw threads means jackscrews have high friction and low efficiency as
power transmission linkages, around 30% – 50%. So they are not often used for continuous transmission of high power,
but more often in intermittent positioning applications.

The ball screw is a more advanced type of lead screw that uses a recirculating-ball nut to minimize friction and prolong
the life of the screw threads. The thread profile of such screws is semicircular to properly mate with the bearing balls.
The disadvantage to this type of screw is that it is not self-locking.

[2]
 for Square THREAD ( when raising the load ) for Square THREAD ( when lowering the load )

the thread torque ( without friction ) the thread torque ( without friction )

æD ö æ cos f tan a ö æD ö æ cos f tan a ö

TT = W ç m ÷ çç ÷÷ the TT = W ç m ÷ çç ÷÷
è 2 ø è cos f ø è 2 ø è cos f ø
the frictional torque of thread ( with friction ) the frictional torque of thread ( with friction )

æ D ö æ cos f tan a + f ö æ D öæ cos f tan a - f ö

TTf = W ç m ÷ çç ÷÷ TTf = W ç m ÷çç ÷÷
è 2 ø è cos f - f tan a ø è 2 øè cos f + f tan a ø

Efficiency of the power screw Efficiency of the power screw

( considering frictional torque of thread only ) ( considering frictional torque of thread only )

(tan a )(cosf - f tan a ) (tan a )(cosf + f tan a )

eTR = x100% eTL = x100%
(cos f tan a + f ) (cos f tan a - f )

(tana )(1 - f tan a ) (tan a )(1 + f tan a )

eTR = x100% eTL = x100%
(tan a + f ) (tan a - f )

The total external torque The total external torque

( considering frictional torque of thread and collar ) ( considering frictional torque of thread and collar )

TER = TT f + TC f TEL = TT f + TC f
æ D ö æ cos f tan a + f ö æ D öæ cos f tan a - f ö
TER = W ç m ÷ ç ÷
÷ + f c W rf TEL = W ç m ÷ç ÷
ç
è 2 ø è cos f - f tan a ç ÷ + f c W rf
ø è 2 øè cos f + f tan a ø
æ D ö æ tan a + f ö æ D öæ tan a - f ö
TER = W ç m ÷ ç
ç ÷
÷ + f c W rf TEL = W ç m ÷çç ÷
÷ + f c W rf
è 2 ø è 1 - f tan a ø è 2 øè 1 + f tan a ø

where:
the frictional radius of the collar

æ 3
- Dic ö
3 æ roc 3 - ric 3 ö
rf = (1 / 3)çç Doc ÷ = (2 / 3 ) ç ÷
2 2 ÷ ç roc 2 - ric 2 ÷
è Doc - Dic ø è ø

Doc , Dic = collar outside and inside diameter, respectively

roc , ric = collar outside and inside radius, respectively

Overall efficiency of the power screw Overall efficiency of the power screw
( considering frictional torque of thread and collar ) ( considering frictional torque of thread and collar )

eOR =
(tan a )(cos f - f tan a ) (tan a )(cos f + f tan a )
x100% eOL = x100%
(cos f tan a + f ) + ( f c Dmc / Dm )(cos f - f tan a ) (cos f tan a - f ) + ( f c Dmc / Dm )(cos f + f tan a )

eOR =
(tan a )(1 - f tan a ) (tan a )(1 + f tan a )
x100% eOL = x100%
(tan a + f ) + ( f c Dmc / Dm )(1 - f tan a ) (tan a - f ) + ( f c Dmc / Dm )(1 + f tan a )

[3]
 for ACME THREAD ( when raising the load ) for ACME THREAD ( when lowering the load )

the thread torque ( without friction ) the thread torque ( without friction )

æD ö æ cos f tan a ö æD ö æ cos f tan a ö

TT = W ç m ÷ çç ÷÷ TT = W ç m ÷ çç ÷÷
è 2 ø è cos f ø è 2 ø è cos f ø

the frictional torque of thread ( with friction ) the frictional torque of thread ( with friction )

æ D ö æ cos f tan a + f ö æ D öæ cos f tan a - f ö

TTf = W ç m ÷ çç ÷÷ TTf = W ç m ÷çç ÷÷
è 2 ø è cos f - f tan a ø è 2 øè cos f + f tan a ø
Efficiency of the power screw Efficiency of the power screw
( considering frictional torque of thread only ) ( considering frictional torque of thread only )

(tan a )(cosf - f tan a ) (tan a )(cos f + f tan a )

eTR = x100% eTL = x100%
(cos f tan a + f ) (cos f tan a - f )

The total external torque The total external torque

( considering frictional torque of thread and collar ) ( considering frictional torque of thread and collar )

TER = TT f + TC f TEL = TT f + TC f
æ D ö æ cos f tan a + f ö æD öæ cos f tan a - f ö
TER = W ç m ÷ ç
ç ÷
÷ + f c W rf TEL = W ç m ÷çç ÷÷ + f c W r f
è 2 ø è cos f - f tan a ø è 2 øè cos f + f tan a ø
where:
the frictional radius of the collar

æ 3
- Dic ö
3 æ roc 3 - ric 3 ö
rf = (1 / 3)çç Doc ÷ = (2 / 3 ) ç ÷
2 2 ÷ ç roc 2 - ric 2 ÷
è Doc - Dic ø è ø

Doc , Dic = collar outside and inside diameter, respectively

roc , ric = collar outside and inside radius, respectively

for ACME THREAD ( when raising the load ) for ACME THREAD ( when lowering the load )

Overall efficiency of the power screw Overall efficiency of the power screw
( considering frictional torque of thread and collar ) ( considering frictional torque of thread and collar )

eOR =
(tan a )(cos f - f tan a ) (tan a )(cos f + f tan a )
x100% eOL = x100%
(cos f tan a + f ) + ( f c Dmc / Dm )(cos f - f tan a ) (cos f tan a - f ) + ( f c Dmc / Dm )(cos f + f tan a )

[4]
 for any POWER SCREW ( THREAD )

Overall efficiency of the power screw Overall efficiency of the power screw
when raising the load when lowering the load
( considering frictional torque of thread and collar ) ( considering frictional torque of thread and collar )

Pout Pout
eOR = x100% eOL = x100%
Pin Pin

Wv Wv
eOR = x100% eOL = x100%
(2p )TER (n / 60) (2p )TEL (n / 60)
WL(n / 60) WL(n / 60)
eOR = x100% eOL = x100%
(2p )TER (n / 60) (2p )TEL (n / 60)
WL WL
eOR = x100% eOL = x100%
2p TER 2p TEL

WL WL
eOR = x100% eOL = x100%
(2p )FR r (2p )FL r
Tout Tout
eOR = x100% eOL = x100%
( 2p )Tin ( 2p )Tin
same as, same as,

eOR =
(tan a )(cos f - f tan a ) (tan a )(cos f + f tan a )
x100% eOL = x100%
(cos f tan a + f ) + ( f c Dmc / Dm )(cos f - f tan a ) (cos f tan a - f ) + ( f c Dmc / Dm )(cos f + f tan a )
where:
W = load
Pout = useful power or power required only to raise ( lower ) the load
Pin = total external power applied ( to compensate frictional power of thread and collar )
Tout = useful torque or torque required only to raise ( lower ) the load
Tin = total external torque applied ( to compensate frictional torque of thread and collar )
FR = operating force in raising the load
FL = operating force in lowering the load
r = distance that the operating force is applied
Dmc = collar mean diameter
Dm = thread pitch ( mean ) diameter
f = coefficient of friction of the thread
f c = coefficient of the friction of the collar
α = lead angle
v = linear velocity = L ( n/60 )

[5]
 Kinds of POWER SCREWS

for SQUARE THREAD ( thread angle = pressure angle: f = 00 ) where: cos f = cos 00 = 1

for ACME THREAD ( thread angle : 2 f = 290 )

( pressure angle: f = 14.50 ) where: cos f = cos 14.50 = 0.968

for BUTTRESS THREAD ( thread angle = pressure angle: f = 450 ) where: cos f = cos 450 = 0.707

for TRAPEZOIDAL METRIC THREAD ( thread angle : 2 f = 300 )

( pressure angle: f = 150 ) where: cos f = cos 150 = 0.966

for AMERICAN STANDARD THREAD ( thread angle : 2 f = 600 )

( pressure angle: f = 300 ) where: cos f = cos 300 = 0.866

Pitch ( P ) – axial distance between corresponding points on adjacent threads and is equal to the reciprocal of the number of threads per
unit distance.

1
P= , inch
Number of threads/inch

Lead ( L ) – axial distance a thread advances in one revolution. In other words, this is the axial distance advanced by the unit for one
complete revolution of the screw.

L = Threads per revolution ( Pitch, inch per thread ) = NT ( P )

where:
L = 1 ( P ) for single threaded screw L = 3 ( P ) for triple threaded screw
L = 2 ( P ) for double threaded screw L = 4 ( P ) for quadruple threaded screw

External thread Internal thread

crest – is the top surface joining the two sides of the thread of a screw.
root – is the bottom surface joining the two sides of the thread of a screw.
Major diameter ( Do ) – is the outside or largest diameter of the thread of a screw.
Minor diameter ( Dr ) – is the smallest diameter of the thread of a screw and commonly called the root diameter.
Pitch or Mean diameter ( Dm ) – is the mean of the major and minor diameter of the thread of a screw.
Nominal size – the designation used for general identification of a thread based on the major diameter.
Thread depthness ( h ) – is the distance between the crest and the root of the thread of a screw.
Depth of thread engagement – is the radial distance, crest to crest, by which the thread forms overlap between two assembled mating
threads.
Lead angle ( α ) – is the angle of a thread formed between the line tangent to the helix and line perpendicular to the axial line of the
power screw. It is the complement of the helix angle, and at the mean diameter unless otherwise specified.

L
tan α =
π Dm

L
α = tan – 1
π Dm

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 Lead Angle / Helix Angle of Power Screw

Lead – is the axial advance of a helix or screw during one complete turn ( 3600 ). The lead for a screw thread is the axial travel for a single
revolution.

Pitch – is the axial distance between adjacent threads on a helix or screw. In most screws, called " single start " screws, which have a single
helical thread along their length, the lead and pitch are equal. They only differ in " multiple start " screws, which have several
intertwined threads. In these screws, the lead is equal to the pitch multiplied by the number of " starts ".

Lead angle ( α ) – is the angle between the line tangent to the helix and line perpendicular to the axial line of the power screw. It is the
complement of the helix angle, and understood to be at the mean diameter unless otherwise specified.

Helix angle ( ψ ) – is the angle between the line tangent to the helix and an axial line of the power screw. Common applications are screws,
helical gears, and worm gears.

The helix angle references the axis of the cylinder, distinguishing it from the lead angle, which references a line perpendicular to the axis.
Naturally, the helix angle is the geometric complement of the lead angle.

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